How Speeding Truck Drivers Put Others on the Road at Risk

When a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck collide, the outcome can be catastrophic. A powerful commercial truck can cause extreme property damage and personal injuries, and – in some situations – even death.

Unfortunately, oftentimes the truck driver is at fault for the accident because of his or her erratic behavior, putting passenger vehicles at serious risk on roadways. The experienced truck accident lawyers at Pope & Howard, P.C., in Atlanta, Georgia, understand how speeding trucks can be incredibly damaging to passenger vehicles. Read below for more information on how speeding truckers put other drivers at risk.

Driver Error: Why Truck Drivers May Speed

One of the major causes of commercial truck driver accidents is driver error, specifically speeding. Oftentimes, truck drivers are put on tight schedules and deadlines which can cause them to speed and drive erratically.

Pressure to Meet Deadlines

We understand that truck drivers face tremendous pressure to get cargo delivered at a certain time, and to get from location to location; however, there is no reason a driver should put other people’s lives in danger to save a few minutes on his commute.

Payment per Mile

Additionally, many truck drivers are paid per mile. The more miles they drive in a day, the better they get paid. This can contribute to speeding and erratic driving behavior, which also, unfortunately, leads to commercial truck driving accidents.

Why Speeding Truckers Cause Accidents

Excessive speeding can contribute to:
• The inability for the truck to stop and avoid a collision
• Driving too fast in rainy roads or snow, hydroplaning or hitting black ice
• “Jackknifing” because the driver lost control
• Colliding with the car in front of them
• Tipping because the driver lost control of an overloaded truck
• Losing control and leaving

Accidents involved speeding trucks can be serious. A fully loaded truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds, which is 20 times larger than a passenger vehicle. When a truck and passenger vehicle collide, the results can be devastating.

Contact the Atlanta, GA, Truck Accident Attorneys at Pope & Howard

If you or a loved one have been involved in a commercial truck accident, it’s important to immediately seek counsel. An experienced truck accident attorney will know what evidence to look for and how to read an accident report, giving you the best opportunity to get the compensation you deserve.

The Pope & Howard, P.C., legal team, led by partners Geoff Pope and Marc Howard, believe that speeding truck drivers should be held accountable for their actions. We investigate the entire situation, reviewing the driver’s log to see if the trip mileage was consistent with posted speed limits, and examine other factors that may have indicated excessive speeding.

If you have been the victim of a trucking accident, contact the experienced truck accident attorneys at Pope & Howard, P.C., to set up a consultation. Contact us via our online form or by phone: 404-885-9999.

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